20 December 2018

Newsletter Articles

Key Dates

Thursday 20 December: Last Day of School 2018 (Students)
Tuesday 29 January: Book Sales Railton Campus (9 am – 1.30pm)
Wednesday 30 January: Book Sales Sheffield Campus (1pm – 6pm)
Thursday 31 January: Book Sales Sheffield Campus (8am – 1pm)
Monday 4 February: Term 1 Commences (Teachers)
Monday 4 February: Student Free (Teacher Preparation Day)
Tuesday 5 February: Student Free (Professional Learning)
Wednesday 6 February: Term 1 Commences (Students)
Thursday 28 February: Swimming Carnival (Splash, Devonport)
Monday 11 March: Public Holiday (8-Hour Day)
Thursday 11 April: Last day Term 1 (Students)
Friday 12 April: Student Free (Moderation Day)
Monday 15 April – Friday 26 April: School Holidays
Friday 19 April – Tuesday 23 April: Easter
Thursday 25 April: Anzac Day
Monday 29 April: Term 2 Commences

Principal’s Report

Presentation Day Assembly was a wonderful celebration of learning, achievement and connectedness. This annual event provides an opportunity to come together as a community and recognise the role we all play in providing a high quality education for our students. The assembly was well attended by federal and state politicians, local government councillors and representatives from local business and community groups, who are always generous with sponsorship and their support of our school. Thank you to our parents and family members who were able to attend and show your children that you value their learning.

Congratulations to Billie Chatterton who won the Thomas Alexander Memorial Award for the highest academic results for Year 10. Well done to all our award winners including those who were recognised for academic excellence, commitment to their learning, and for upholding our school values. A full list of award recipients is included in this newsletter.

Year 10 Student Representative Council members have been announced for 2019 and I am sure these students will provide valuable leadership and be positive role models for younger students.

2019 SRC members are: Ethan Duff, Tylar Burr, Taylah Watling, Alannah Jones, Georgia-May Richardson-Hume, Amber Chatterton, Aimee Bradburn and Bethany Cobbin. Congratulations team!

The Year 10 Celebration Dinner amazes me each year with the huge crowd that gather at the Sheffield Recreation Ground to welcome our Year 10 students. Fortunately the rain held off for the arrivals and the students were able to make their long awaited 'grand entrance!' The evening was a wonderful celebration of their time at school, reflecting on the good times, the challenges and the friendships they have made. There were a number of highlights during the evening; James Hutton gave a terrific speech about personal friendship, Mr Voorwinde provided an inspiration speech for the students and Andy Enright had everyone on their feet with an amazing vocal performance. Thank you to the committee who coordinate this event and ensure it is a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

Each year we farewell a number of staff, and this year is no exception. Mrs Karen Richardson will be leaving us to take up an Acting Assistant Principal role at Nixon Street Primary, we thank her for her contribution to Sheffield and wish her well in her new position. Mrs Laureen Steers will be transferring to Forth Primary School. Mrs Steers has been a teacher assistant for 28 years mainly at the Railton campus. She has made a huge contribution to children during this time and we are sure Forth Primary will benefit greatly from her experience. Mrs Trish Laws is taking Long Service Leave at the beginning of 2019 before retiring from teaching. Mrs Laws began teaching in 1972 and she has taught in schools all over Australia and in the UK. We will miss her at Sheffield and we certainly wish her an enjoyable retirement. Mrs Alison Last will be leaving Sheffield after 16 years of service to the school. She is moving to Miandetta Primary School to take up a permanent AST position. Mrs Last has been a dedicated and passionate teacher and a valuable asset to our school especially in her current position as our senior teacher at the Railton campus. Thank you for all you have done for our students Mrs Last.

Congratulation to Mrs Debbie May who will be our AST at the Railton Campus in 2019, as part of her role she will be leading an education department initiative 'Refocusing Teaching and Learning in the Early Years Program K-2' across both campuses.

Enjoy a safe and happy break from school over the summer holiday period. Mr Daly will be returning as Principal next year and we are looking forward to welcoming him back, refreshed from his long service leave!

Jamie Skirving
Acting Principal

Art Acquisition Prize

Asha’s work was chosen by the public at the art exhibition displayed on the Arts Concert Evening on 6 December 2018, and will now take pride of place outside the Principals office. Well done Asha.

Assembly Awards (Railton – 14 December)

Education Act Implementation

Over the past few months, members of the School Association and members of staff have finalised Sheffield School’s policies, in line with the Education Act 2016. These have included:

• Respectful School Visitors and Volunteers Policy
• Respectful Student Behaviour Policy
• School Attendance Policy
• School Uniform and Dress Code Policy (updated SunSmart policy included).

In August, we sent out a survey to parents asking for feedback about our current school uniform and range of options. To provide a quick summary of what you told us:

• The secondary lemon shirts are see through and have ‘no give’
• The primary blue polo tops stain and pull easily, and do not have a logo
• Warmer options for both primary and secondary were requested
• The primary polar fleece jacket pills easily, attracts fluff and is not warm enough

We have aimed to respond to this feedback and are currently gathering samples for our school community to vote on in 2019. Options being explored include:

• Changing the primary polo to navy, with red trim and including the school logo OR keeping a blue polo – but changing the fabric/supplier and adding the school logo
• Providing short and trouser options (in navy blue) for both girls and boys
• Providing a warmer jumper option – rugby top in style which students can layer with their fleecy jacket/wind stopper.

Decisions which the committee working on this have been able to make, effective from the beginning of 2019:

• All students across the school will be able to purchase/wear the navy softshell jacket. his will help families whose children are in their final year or primary school/moving into high school. Though the polar fleece jacket will still be available for purchase for primary students, this provides an alternative for those parents who indicated they would prefer the wind stopper. Parents will also be pleased to know, no doubt, that we have been able to source a cheaper softshell jacket, of similar quality and style to our current jacket.
• The secondary shirt will change in colour to School Blue.
• Broad brim hats will be available for purchase in sizes for K-12 students (previously only K-6).

We understand that the changing of the school shirt colour represents a significant change for students and their families. Therefore, the school will provide one new school shirt to each secondary student at the beginning of 2019 AND will subside the cost of the shirts during Term 1, for families wishing to buy more than one shirt for their children.

All our new policies can be viewed on our school website or please contact us at the school if you have any questions.

iPad Provision (Years 7 – 10)

In 2019 we will be offering iPad hire to our students in Years 7-10. Our aim is to assist students in gaining greater access to learning resources at school and beyond by providing access to an iPad 24/7. Digital technologies provide a wide range of teaching and learning resources that are engaging and relevant to learning in the 21st century.

Students will have the option of hiring the same device each year for an annual fee of $50. Year 7 students will receive a new iPad and Year 8-10s will be reissued the iPad they have previously hired. At the end of Year 10 students will have the option of paying an additional $50 to purchase their device outright, this means the total cost will have been $250.

For those who wish to hire a School iPad, further information will be provided at Book Sales Days. An information sheet explaining the iPad Provision, a User Agreement form and a Hire Agreement form will be available. iPads will be issued to students at the commencement of term 1 and collected in the last week of the school year.

Secondary students also have the option to bring their own device to school through the Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Policy, rather than hire a school device. The BYOT form will also be available from the office. There are some minimum specification recommended for BYOT devices.

Lost Property

From Monday 21 January lost property items will be displayed on a table near the student entrance.  Please call in to the office if you would like to have a look through the items.

Oral Health Services

Presentation Day Awards

QKR – 2019

What is it?

It’s an app that you install on your smart phone/device that lets you order school lunches, purchase uniforms and in the not distant future - pay school accounts online – any time, any place!.

Watch this spot!

School Book Sales 2019

Payment of school levies is expected on book sales day. Invoices will be issued during January 2019 to enable parents to prepay either by Bpay or at Service Tasmania. For those parents/guardians who will be seeking to pay by instalment a minimum payment of $30 per book pack will be required when collecting book packs.

School Closure/Opening Hours

The school will be closed from Monday 24 December 2018 to Friday 11 January 2019, reopening on Monday 14 January 2019 at 8.30am.

School opening hours from Monday 14 January to Friday 25 January will be 8.30am to 3.30pm

School Levies – 2019

The levy you pay contributes to the cost of your child’s education program, and includes:

• Items your child uses during the school year such as learning materials and stationery.
• Services, such as school excursions, attending performances and school camps that are part of your child’s educational program.

Financial Assistance

Families on low incomes who meet the eligibility conditions of the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) will not be required to pay school levies. Grandparents raising grandchildren may also be eligible for STAS. If you would like to apply for STAS, please either ring our school office on 6491 8222 or call in to collect an application form

Please find below our school levies for 2019.

Community Notices

Devonport Library

Footprints Podiatry

Free School Footwear Evaluation & Fitting Clinic

Hockey

Hockey School Holiday Clinics

Riverbend Youth Centre

Rubik’s Cube Competition

Scoot, Skate and BMX Competition Series

SeaFM SkyFire Competition